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Microneedle Q & A

Q. What is a Micro needling and how does it work?

A. The Micro Needling device is an instrument consisting of a heavy duty roller head covered in 192 high quality titanium acupuncture needles.The Micro Needling roller has the following actions. The needles are designed to penetrate the stratum corneum, the hard outer surface of the epidermal layer of the skin, body or scalp. Hundreds of tiny channels are created through the stratum corneum, which facilitate the passage and absorption of your skin care product, or minoxidil for hair restoration into the dermis, to maximize its absorption. It gently exfoliates excess skin cells which contribute to hair follicle malnutrition scaring or premature aging, and ultimately hair follicle failure, wrinkles, stretch marks, cellulite and scars. The roller stimulates blood flow to the surface, gives a skin massage, cleans out the pores and stimulates collagen re-growth.

Q. Can I use serums and anti aging products with the micro needling roller?

A. Yes you can use serums after rolling, but be aware that the product will penetrate 80 % more than it does right now so you may want to experiment with the quantity you use.

Q.Is it ok to micro needle if I have had fillers injected already in my skin?

A. Yes but ask your injectionist when you may roll.

Q.What about cold sores and micro needling?

A. If you have any type of herpes virus dormant or otherwise you cannot use the micro needling device on that area. When treating above lip lines, if you have suffered from herpes complex (cold sores) in the past, make sure the micro roller does not touch the lips or the cold sores may flare again.

Q. I just had a micro needling treatment for the first time. It was ok on the first day but know 2 days later I had red bumpy patches on my cheeks and forehead. It looks like I have acne?

A. It sounds as though you have released toxins/old collagen fibers from below the surface of your skin, which is good of course. Just keep the area clean and do not treat again until your face is clear. You can use moisturizer. The renewing skin cycle/new collagen regrowth is 4-6 weeks.

Q. Does it hurt?

A. The needles on the micro needling device are long enough to assist in the penetration of your skin care product, but will not damage the skin or scalp in any way. It is normal for the skin or scalp to be a little sensitive when scalp rolling is first commenced, but most people report no problems after a few days.

Q. So do you have to use an anesthetic gel?

A. Some people use the numbing gel for cellulite and face needling. Others feel it is not necessary and claim that the device is a little irritating or tickles, and then you get used to it, in other words not painful. So it is trial and error and varies from one person o the next.

Q. Can I micro needle if I have active acne?

A. No. Needling should be avoided during outbreaks.

Q. Do you have to use a cream or product with the needling?

A. After needling use a good quality product (cream or oil) with active (vitamins) ingredients, as after needling the skin will absorb 84% of that product- compared to 4% without skin needling. The needling facilitates tiny channels/holes for it to literally go into the skin- painlessly. Needling stimulates blood flow and collagen re-growth. Skin care products used after rolling are extremely beneficial. You can use Vitamin A and C, copper peptides or a high quality, vitamin enriched active ingredient moisturizer.

Q. How long to see results?

A. All skin is different so we cannot give a definite time frame for results, but as you roll your skin will feel lighter, tighter and brighter almost immediately. If you are treating scars or wrinkles you will see results each week as the skin changes and collagen re-grows, then after 1-3 months deeper results.

Q. How long does a micro needling device last?

A. Our micro needler is very high quality so with care of the roller, and with continual use, it may last 2-3 months. The needles don’t wear out as such as they are medical grade titanium, but with continual use they will eventually become blunt just as an expensive razor would.

Q. Can I use the micro needling device on clients that are breastfeeding or pregnant?

A. The reason I do not use a needling device when pregnant, or lactating is that the body needs all of its vitamins to feed the baby. So as the production of new collagen uses some vitamins, it is best not to needle at this time.

A. Discoloration is rare and generally only a ‘permanent problem’ if a 2.0 or longer needle is used. Changes in skin color can also be because of toxins migrating to the surface and then the color (patches) fade out as you keep rolling. Also old collagen fibers break down as you roll, and as the skin is uneven, there may look like changes in color in patches, but this is temporary. New color also comes to the skin naturally as you needle, as in a healthy glow, as pores are cleaned out and new collagen grows. So that would be the color you are supposed to be, as in a healthy skin tone. I wouldn’t suggest you use any chemical on the color change, just keep needling and allow it to balance out naturally- if it ever does occur.

Q. So needling creates channels or holes in the skin do they stay open and absorb dirt as well?

A. No the tiny channels quickly close over, within the hour.

Q. How long should you needle?A. Needling is not determined by time. More importantly are the numbers of roll-movements over a certain skin-area. Seven (7) roll-movements set 160 pricks per square centimeter (15 times about 240 pricks) . It should not take more than 3-5 minutes.

Q. How long should I needle?

A. With your free hand hold the skin putting it under some slight tension. Place the needling device on the skin and roll with a constant movement to the end of the skin area. Roll two or three times over the same spot back and forth over the skin and in different directions.

Q. Do I need to sterilize my needling device after use?

A. Yes it is essential to keep your roller in a clean and sterile condition. Rinse in hot running water after every use. Stand head first in its' protective cap and soak according to your soak protocols. When time is completed in soak, simply rinse and place standing up in the container it comes in with lid left open to facilitate complete drying. Don’t ever use the device between clients.

Q. What type of disinfectant should I use?

A. Cidex, wavicide, barbacide, etc from beauty suppliers.

Q. How often can I needle a client? And how long does the roller last?

A. Some technicians do a treatment weekly, bi monthly or monthly as well, or only that. With time, even the strongest needle point will lose its sharpness. When this happens the device should be replaced. However you will be pleased with the use that you will get out of your micro needling device. Don’t keep using the roller if the needles become blunted by lack of care of the product.

Q. What is the best way to treat stretch marks with micro needling?

A. The best way to reduce the appearance of stretch marks is to do a VERY FIRM roll once a month with numbing gel, this needs 1-2 days healing time. Be patient. Wait 4-6 weeks to see your result as your own collagen will grow and fill in the stretch marks. There should be no down time and no post application pain. You can re- treat then if necessary.

Q. Can I treat my face and arms?

A. All areas of the face, neck and body can be treated.

Q. How fast can I expect to see results from needling? How long do I have to use it to get rid of the stretch marks?

A. It all depends on how deep the stretch marks are, if you roll very firmly once a month then wait for the collagen to re-grow you may be looking at 3-6 months, so that is just 3-6 month treatments. You will see a nice improvement after each healing.